Keith Bruce of The Herald (UK), reviewing a recent concert
of Lament for Jerusalem in Edinburgh by the Choir and Orchestra of
London under Mr. Summerly, proclaimed the work to be “Tavener at his
most ecumenical and accessible . . . an experience to treasure—and roundly
applaud.”

Here’s what other critics have been saying about the
new Naxos recording:

(four
stars)

“Though full of moments of choral monumentality, the
details constantly prick your ears with exotically tinged vocal lines
not normally found in Western music . . . Besides being musically substantial,
the overall sound of this disc is so invitingly sumptuous that it rewards
casual listening as well.”-- David Patrick
Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer

“The slow, mesmerizing music of each cycle initially
may sound the same, though its few melodic and harmonic elements are subtly
altered, with an ever-expanding closing chorus providing the most noticeable
example. In this way, the score gradually, almost imperceptibly, achieves
weight within apparent lightness.” -- Alan Artner, Chicago Tribune

“John Tavener has created a choral work that is
both beguiling and lyrically mystical . . . a timely, thought-provoking
CD that plumbs the fraught conditions that have befallen the Holy Land.”
--Edward Ortiz, Sacramento Bee

“The performance is perfection, beautifully
recorded with warm, spacious acoustics . . . Another major addition to Naxos’
series of Tavener recordings!” -- Robert
Benson, ClassicalCDreview.com

“This recording is a call for rejoicing for Tavener
fans . . . there is great beauty to be found here. The performances of soloists,
choir and orchestra under Jeremy Summerly are exquisite and graceful.”--Robert
Levine, Amazon.com